Seafood arriving by boat from the mainland would not be tested for cholera, officials said yesterday.
Critics said the loophole was unacceptable and called for the introduction of a food-labelling scheme.
Department of Health assistant director Dr Gloria Tam Lai-fun said seafood imported by sea was not checked because it was impracticable to stop all boats.
'Even in China, they do not have enough resources. What they are planning to do is to designate good water quality areas as fishing zones,' she said.
Food imported by land is tested at the Man Kam To crossing. Officers also conduct surprise raids on markets.
Democrat Fred Li Wah-ming said: 'Most low-priced shellfish is from China. It's unacceptable there is no surveillance scheme.' Provisional Urban Councillor Wong Kwok-hing proposed a labelling scheme to allow sources to be traced.
